Karnataka has reported one of its highest number of COVID cases today. The State COVID bulletin has confirmed 8,161 new COVID cases and 148 deaths today. At the same time 6,814 persons were discharged after recovery across the State. The State conducted 59,787 tests during the same period. The total tests conducted till date stands at 25,13,555. <br />''<br />''Bengaluru urban district reported the highest of 2,294 cases and 61 deaths today followed by Mysuru where 1,331 new cases and 16 deaths were reported. The high number of cases in Mysuru is due to backlog in testing since four days.<br />''<br />''The Technical Advisory Committee and Clinical Expert Committee on COVID-19 has issued a press release saying Karnataka is the second State in India with the highest test positivity rate of 12 per cent. Hence it has advised the Government to strengthen the testing of  all the symptomatic persons through rigorous tracing and tracking strategy. <br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">It has also suggested that the COVID testing should be prioritised among the vulnerable populations and high risk groups and to initiate early treatment to minimize progression to severe disease. It also suggested that media must be used to alleviate fear of undergoing COVID testing in certain sections of the society.</span><br />